KR102489964B1 - Display device including touch sensor and touch senser driving method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a first sensor that includes at least three first sensing signal lines, and each of the at least three first sensing signal lines outputs a first sensing signal according to a first driving signal, and a driving signal line. and a second sensor including a second sensing signal line, to which the second driving signal is applied to the driving signal line, and outputting the second sensing signal through the second sensing signal line, wherein the first driving signal is applied to the second sensing signal line. A display device having a touch sensor, which is a signal applied through the driving signal line of the sensor, and a touch sensor driving method may be provided.

Description

Display device having a touch sensor and touch sensor driving method

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device having a touch sensor and a touch sensor driving method.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices for displaying images is increasing in various forms, and liquid crystal display devices (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display Device), plasma display devices, organic light emitting display devices ( Various types of flat panel display devices such as organic light emitting display devices (OLEDs) have appeared.

In addition, the display device can operate by receiving user commands through various input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. is being developed with The touch sensor is disposed on the screen of the display device, and when a user touches a specific point on the screen of the display device, the display device may receive a user's command.

Touch sensors include a resistive type and a capacitive type. Among them, the capacitive method has a disadvantage in that a touch cannot be sensed when a touch object such as a finger or a stylus pen is wet.

However, mobile devices are used in various environments, and in particular, waterproof performance is improved so that they can be used underwater. However, even if the waterproof performance is improved, it becomes useless if the touch is not recognized underwater. Therefore, there is a need for a method capable of detecting a touch in an environment containing a lot of moisture.

In addition, recently, a method of detecting a touch force and applying it to various applications has been deduced. A flexible display device can be bent by a force applied to a touch point, and a method for sensing a touch point needs to be devised in response to such a flexible property.

An object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a display device having a touch sensor capable of recognizing a touch in a humid environment or an underwater environment and a touch sensor driving method.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a display device having a touch sensor capable of sensing a touch force on a flexible display panel and a touch sensor driving method.

Another object of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a touch sensor having a structure capable of effectively sensing a touch position and a touch force, a display device having the same, and a touch sensor driving method.

In one aspect, embodiments of the present invention include a first sensor that includes at least three first sensing signal lines, and each of the at least three first sensing signal lines outputs a first sensing signal according to a first driving signal. , and a second sensor including a driving signal line and a second sensing signal line, wherein the second driving signal is applied to the driving signal line and outputs a second sensing signal through the second sensing signal line, The driving signal may provide the touch sensor, which is a signal applied through the driving signal line of the second sensor.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include a first sensor that includes at least three first sensing signal lines, and each of the at least three first sensing signal lines outputs a first sensing signal according to a first driving signal. And, a sensor unit including a second sensor including a driving signal line and a second sensing signal line, a second driving signal is applied to the driving signal line, and outputs a second sensing signal through the second sensing signal line; A first driving signal is transmitted to the first sensor through a driving signal line and the second driving signal is applied to a second sensor, and the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal are obtained from the first sensing signal line and the second sensing signal line. A touch drive circuit that receives signals, a touch control unit that controls the touch drive circuit and generates position information and force information for a touch point using the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal, and a touch sensor unit disposed on the A display device including a display panel displaying an image may be provided.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention include a substrate, a spacer formed on the substrate, a hollow spacer disposed on the edge of the substrate, a first conductive wire formed on the substrate and patterned, and separated from the first conductive wire. A first conductive film including two conductive wires, a second conductive film disposed on the spacer, spaced apart from the first conductive film at a predetermined interval, and connected to at least three second sensing signal lines, and on the second conductive film It is possible to provide a display device including a display panel disposed on.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present invention, a first driving signal is transmitted from the second sensor to the first sensor in response to the force applied to the touch point, and the first sensing from the first sensor in response to the first driving signal Receiving a signal; Calculating location information on a touch point in response to the first sensing signal; Transmitting a second driving signal to a second sensor; To provide a touch sensor driving method comprising receiving a sensing signal from a second sensor and calculating information corresponding to a force applied to a touch point in response to the second sensing signal.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a display device having a touch sensor capable of recognizing a touch in a humid environment and a touch sensor driving method may be provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a display device including a touch sensor capable of sensing a touch force on a flexible display panel and a touch sensor driving method may be provided.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a touch sensor having a structure capable of effectively sensing a touch position and a touch force, a display device having the same, and a touch sensor driving method are provided.

1 is a structural diagram illustrating a display device according to example embodiments.
2 is a structural diagram illustrating a display device according to example embodiments.
3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to example embodiments.
4 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a sensor unit employed in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a conductive film employed in the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a substrate employed in the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 and a conductive layer disposed thereon.
7 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of a driving signal input to a sensor unit in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method of driving a sensor unit that senses a touch in a sensor unit employed in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to components of each drawing, the same components may have the same numerals as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted.

Also, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), and (b) may be used in describing the components of the present invention. These terms are only used to distinguish the component from other components, and the nature, sequence, order, or number of the corresponding component is not limited by the term. When an element is described as being “connected,” “coupled to,” or “connected” to another element, that element is or may be directly connected to that other element, but intervenes between each element. It will be understood that may be "interposed", or each component may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected" through other components.

1 is a structural diagram illustrating a display device according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the display device 100 may include a display panel 110 , a sensor unit 120 , a touch driver 121 , and a touch controller 130 that controls the touch driver 120 .

In the display panel 110, a plurality of gate lines G1, ..., Gn and a plurality of data lines D1, ..., Dm may cross each other. In addition, a plurality of pixels 101 may be formed corresponding to a region where the plurality of gate lines G1 , ..., Gn and the plurality of data lines D1 , ... , Dm intersect. In addition, the gate driver 112 that transmits gate signals to the plurality of gate lines G1, ..., Gn of the display panel 110 and the data lines D1, ..., Dm of the display panel 110 transmit data. A data driver 113 that transmits signals may be connected. In addition, a control unit 114 that controls the gate driver 112 and the data driver 113 and transmits an image signal to the data driver may be connected. Here, the display panel 110 is shown as a component separate from the gate driver 112, the data driver 113, and the control unit 114, but is not limited thereto. In addition, the gate driver 112 and the data driver 113 may be composed of integrated circuits. In addition, although the number of data drivers 113 and gate drivers 112 is illustrated as one, they are not limited thereto and may be implemented in plural depending on the size and/or resolution of the display panel 110 . In addition, components for applying signals to the display panel 110 are not limited to those shown.

The display panel 110 may be formed using a flexible substrate. The display panel may be flexible using a flexible substrate. The flexible substrate may use an organic light emitting device in which a plurality of pixels are deposited on a substrate made of a plastic material such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and an upper portion thereof is sealed with a sealing substrate. However, it is not limited thereto.

The sensor unit 120 receives the first driving signal through the driving signal line and outputs at least three first sensing signals corresponding to the location of the touch point through the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4. The first sensor 120a receives the second driving signal through the driving signal line and outputs the second sensing signal corresponding to the force at the touch point through the second sensing signal line R2x. A second sensor 120b contacting the first sensor 120a may be included.

When the display panel 110 is touched with a finger or a stylus pen, the sensor unit 120 responds to positional information corresponding to the touched point on the display panel 110 and force applied to the display panel 110 upon touch. force information can be generated. At this time, the sensor unit 120 may generate position information and force information using a resistive film method. The resistive film method may refer to a method of sensing using a change in the size of a resistor. Accordingly, the sensor unit 120 may generate location information and input information by measuring a resistance value even when the display device 100 is used underwater or touched with a wet finger or a stylus pen. Therefore, a touch may be recognized in a humid or underwater environment.

Since the display panel 110 is flexible, when the flexible display panel 110 is touched, a portion of the display panel 110 corresponding to the touch point is bent by the force generated by the touch, and the sensor unit 120 ) can sense this. Therefore, the sensing unit 120 can recognize the position and force information of the touch point using the resistive film method on the flexible substrate.

The touch driver 121 may transmit a driving signal through the driving signal line Tx. Among the driving signals, the driving signal output from the touch driver 121 to sense the touch point may be referred to as a first driving signal, and the driving signal output to sense the force generated at the touch point upon touch may be referred to as a second driving signal. there is. The touch driver 121 may first output the first driving signal and then output the second driving signal.

The touch controller 122 may control the touch driver 121 to generate position information and force information for a touch point using the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal. The first sensing signals that the touch controller 122 receives from the touch driver may be four sensing signals independently transmitted from four sensing signal lines, and the location information of the touch point may be sensed using the four sensing signals. . As the force information, the strength of a signal transmitted from the second sensing signal may be used. The intensity of the second sensing signal may correspond to the magnitude of the voltage of the second sensing signal. Also, the touch controller 122 may control the touch driver 121 so that the touch driver 121 outputs a driving signal.

The driving signal may include a first driving signal and a second driving signal. In addition, as for the driving signal, the second driving signal may be generated after the first driving signal is generated by the touch driver 121 under the control of the touch controller 122 . However, it is not limited thereto. The display panel 110 has a constant area, and even when the same force is applied, the degree of pressing may vary depending on the position on the display panel 110 to which the force is applied. Therefore, after first calculating the position of the touch point of the display panel 110 by the first driving signal, the force applied to the touch point can be more accurately calculated using the calculated position and the force information by the second sensing signal. can That is, the sensing signal obtained by sensing the force applied at the time of touch can be corrected using the location information of the touch point, so that the accurate force can be calculated.

2 is a structural diagram illustrating a display device according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the display device 100 includes a display panel 110, a first sensor 120a that senses location information about a touch point where the display panel 110 is touched, and the display panel 110. A second sensor 120b for sensing a force applied to a touch point while being touched may be included. In addition, the touch driver 121 that transmits the driving signal to the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b and receives the sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal, and the sensing signal received after controlling the touch driver 121 It may include a touch control unit 122 that generates positional information and force information for a touch point using .

The first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b may be disposed under the display panel 110 . Also, the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b may be disposed to overlap each other at the lower portion of the display panel 110 . Here, overlapping may mean that the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b overlap each other on the same transparent surface. In addition, when the user touches the display panel 110 using a finger or a stylus pen, the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b are separated by a force applied to the touch point where the display panel 110 is touched. It may be connected in an area corresponding to the touch point. Here, the connection may include direct contact of the first sensor 120a with the second sensor 120b and connection through a predetermined conductor. The first sensor 120a may sense location information about an area where the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b are in contact. Also, the second sensor 120b may output a second sensing signal corresponding to a force applied when the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b contact each other. The second sensing signal may be generated from the contact between the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b, so that when the second sensing signal is output, it may be determined that more than a preset force is applied to the display panel 110. there is. In addition, the intensity of the second sensing signal may vary according to the force applied to the touch point.

The first sensor 120a may output a sensing signal corresponding to the driving signal through the first sensing signal line RXs. Also, the second sensor 120b may receive the driving signal through the driving signal line Tx. First, a user may touch the display panel 110 in a state in which a driving signal is transmitted through the driving signal line Tx. As for the driving signal, the second driving signal may be transmitted after the first driving signal is transmitted. When the first driving signal is transmitted through the driving signal line Tx and the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b come into contact, the first driving signal transmitted to the second sensor 120b is transmitted to the first sensor ( 120a). The first sensor 120a may output a first sensing signal in response to the first driving signal transmitted through the second sensor 120b. In addition, when the second driving signal is transmitted through the driving signal line Tx in a state in which the force applied during the touch is maintained, the first sensor 120a and the second sensor 120b maintain contact and the second The sensor 120b may output a second sensing signal including force information in response to a contact in response to the second driving signal. When the first sensing signal is output, the second sensor 120b may not output the second sensing signal, and when the second sensing signal is output, the first sensor 120a may not output the first sensing signal. .

The first sensing signal is output through the first sensing signal lines (R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4) connected to the first sensor 120a, and the second sensing signal is output through the second sensing signal line connected to the second sensor 120b. It may be output through the sensing signal line R2x. In this case, when the first driving signal is transmitted, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 are connected to the touch driver 121, and the second sensing signal line R2x is open to drive the touch driver 121 ) and can be unconnected. Accordingly, the first driving signal is transmitted to the first sensor 120a, and the first sensor 120a may output a first sensing signal corresponding to the first driving signal.

In addition, when the second driving signal is transmitted, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 are open and not connected to the touch driver 121, and the second sensing signal line R2x is connected to the touch driver ( 121) may be connected. Accordingly, the second driving signal is transferred from the second sensor 120b to the second sensing signal line R2x so that the second sensor 120b can output a second sensing signal corresponding to the second driving signal.

As described above, in order to selectively connect the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 and the second sensing signal line R2x to the touch driver 121, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, and R1x3 , R1x4) and the second sensing signal line R2x may be connected to the touch driver 121 through the mux 120c. Then, the touch control unit 122 outputs the mux control signal, and the mux 120c responds to the output mux control signal to the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 or the second sensing signal line R2x. ) can be selectively connected to the touch driver 121 . Selective connection of the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 or the second sensing signal line R2x is not limited thereto.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to example embodiments, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a sensor unit employed in a display device according to example embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b may be formed on the substrate 1122 . The substrate 1122 may include a flexible material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). However, it is not limited thereto. The first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b may include a first conductive wire 1121a and a second conductive wire 1121b patterned into a predetermined shape. The first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be spaced apart from each other. Also, each of the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be formed on the substrate 1122 using conductive ink. The first conductive wire 1121a may be the driving signal line Tx and the second conductive wire 1121b may be the second sensing signal line R2x. In addition, the first conductive wire 1121a may be connected to the driving signal line Tx, and the second conductive wire 1121b may be connected to the second sensing signal line R2x. A second conductive layer 1121 may be formed on the substrate 1122 on which the conductive layers 1121a and 1121b are formed. A spacer 1123 may be formed between the second conductive layer 1121 and the substrate 1122 to maintain a predetermined distance between the second conductive layer 1121 and the substrate 1122 .

The spacer 1123 includes a hollow structure and may be disposed outside the second conductive layer 1121 . When the spacer 1123 is attached to the substrate 1122, the hollow spacer 1123 may be disposed in the center of the substrate 1122. Also, the central portion of the substrate 1122 may be referred to as a contact area. In the contact area, the first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b may be exposed by the hollow spacer 1123 . In addition, the spacer 1123 maintains a distance between the first conductive films 1121a and 1121b and the second conductive film 1121 so that only when force is applied, the first conductive films 1121a and 1121b and the second conductive film ( 1121) can be connected. The second conductive layer 1121 may include a conductive thin layer. In addition, the second conductive layer 1121 may be formed using conductive ink on the flexible substrate 1122 . In this case, the surface on which the second conductive film 1121 is formed and the surface on the substrate 1122 on which the first conductive films 1121a and 1121b are formed may face each other. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, pad portions P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be formed on the second conductive layer 1121, and first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, and R1x2 may be formed on the pad portions P1, P2, P3, and P4, respectively. R1x3, R1x4) can be connected. The first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 may correspond to the number of pads of the pad units P1, P2, P3, and P4. The pad may be a point where the first sensing signal lines R1x1 , R1x2 , R1x3 , and R1x4 are respectively connected to the second conductive layer 1121 . Four pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 may be formed on the second conductive layer 1121 . If the shape of the second conductive layer 1121 is a rectangle, the four pads P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be disposed at positions corresponding to vertices of the rectangle. However, it is not limited thereto, and the number of pads may be at least three. Also, the four pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 may not be disposed at each vertex of the second conductive layer 1121 . Also, the display panel 110 may be disposed on the second conductive layer 1121 .

In the display device 100 as described above, the spacer 1123 prevents the second conductive layer 1121 from contacting the first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b disposed on the substrate 1122 and maintains a certain distance therebetween. do. However, when force is applied to the display panel 110, the second conductive layer 1121 is bent by the force applied to the display panel 110, and the bent second conductive layer 1121 forms the first conductive wire 1121a. and the second conductive wire 1121b. Also, the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be electrically connected by the second conductive film 1121 in contact with the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b. . Then, the second conductive film 1121 is in contact with the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b by using the turn-on/turn-off of the first sensing signal line and the second sensing signal line. One driving signal may be transmitted to the second conductive layer 1121 and the second driving signal TD2 may be transmitted to the second conductive wire 1121b through the first conductive wire 1121a.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an example of a second conductive film employed in the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , the second conductive layer 1121 may have a rectangular shape with a constant area. The second conductive layer 1121 may be formed of conductive ink. Also, four pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 may be disposed at the vertices of the square of the second conductive layer 1121 , respectively. Here, the four pads P1, P2, P3, and P4 are exemplary, and the number of pads may be at least three. Also, the four sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 respectively connected to the four pads P1, P2, P3, and P4 may be first sensing signal lines. When the second conductive film 1121 is formed on a flexible substrate, each of the pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 is formed on the rear surface of the surface on which the second conductive film 1121 is formed, and a through hole ( (not shown) may be formed to connect each of the pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 to the conductive layer through the through hole. However, the connection between the pads P1 , P2 , P3 , and P4 and the second conductive layer 1121 is not limited thereto.

Also, when a point T of the display panel 110 is touched, the second conductive layer 1121 comes into contact with the first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b disposed thereunder. At this time, the second conductive wire 1121b among the first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b is not connected to the second sensing signal line R2x, so the first driving signal transmitted to the first conductive wire 1121a is transmitted through the second conductive wire 1121b. It is not transferred to the wiring 1121b but transferred to the second conductive layer 1121 contacted by the touch. At this time, since the current tends to flow to a place with the smallest resistance, the first driving signal transmitted to the second conductive layer 1121 can be transmitted through four paths corresponding to the four pads at the touch point. A resistor is formed in each of the four paths formed by the second conductive film 1121, so that a first resistor R1 is formed between the first pad P1 at the touch point T, and a second resistor R1 is formed between the touch point T and the second pad P1. A second resistor R2 is formed between the pads P2, a third resistor P3 is formed between the touch point T and the third pad P3, and between the touch point T and the fourth pad P3. A fourth resistor R4 may be formed. Since the magnitude of the resistance is proportional to the length, it can correspond to the distance of each path.

In addition, four sensing signals are output through four sensing signal lines by the first resistor R1 to fourth resistor R4, and the touch control unit 122 compares the voltages of each sensing signal at the touch point T. Resistance formed between each pad can be calculated. In addition, the distance between the touch point and each of the pads P1, P2, P3, and P4 can be calculated using the calculated magnitude of resistance, and the distance between the four touch points and the pads P1, P2, P3, and P4. Location information of the touch point can be calculated using When sensing the location information of a touch point, it is a resistive film method that uses a resistance, so a touch can be recognized in a humid environment.

FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of a substrate employed in the sensor unit shown in FIG. 4 and a conductive layer disposed thereon.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the substrate 1122 may be a flexible substrate. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the first conductive layers 1121a and 1121b may include a first conductive wire 1121a and a second conductive wire 1121b. The first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be patterned into a predetermined shape and spaced apart from each other. Each of the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be patterned into a comb pattern. However, it is not limited thereto. Also, the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be formed of conductive ink. When the first conductive film is not connected because the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b are spaced apart, that is, when no touch occurs, the first conductive wire 1121a to the second conductive wire 1121b ), the signal is not transmitted. Therefore, only when touched, the second conductive wire 1121b can transmit a sensing signal. The first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b are each patterned in a comb pattern, so that touch occurrence can be easily detected.

In addition, when the display panel 110 is touched, the second conductive layer 1121 is formed by a force applied to the touch point while touching the first conductive layer (including the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b). 1121a, 1121b). The first conductive wire 1121a may be a driving signal line. Also, the first conductive wire 1121a may be connected to the driving signal line. The second conductive wire 1121b may be a second sensing signal line. Also, the second conductive wire 1121b may be connected to the second sensing signal line. When the second driving signal is transmitted to the first conductive wire 1121a, the second conductive wire 1121b or the second sensing signal line R2x may be connected to the touch driver 121. At this time, the first sensing signal lines R1x1 , R1x2 , R1x3 , and R1x4 connected to the second conductive layer 1121 may not be connected to the touch driver 121 . Even when the second conductive layer 1121 comes into contact with the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 are not connected to the touch driver 121. Therefore, the second driving signal is not transmitted to the second conductive layer 1121 in an open state. Also, when the second sensing signal line R2x is connected and the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b are connected, the second driving signal transmitted to the first conductive wire 1121a is transmitted through the second conductive wire 1121a. It is transmitted to the second conductive wire 1121b through the film 1121. At this time, the contact area where the second conductive film 1121, the first conductive wire 1121a, and the second conductive wire 1121b come into contact varies according to the force applied to the touch point, and thus the contact area corresponding to the force applied to the touch point is generated. The second sensing signal may be transferred to the second sensing signal line R2x. In addition, the size of the resistance of the conductive ink is changed according to the applied force, so that a second sensing signal corresponding to the applied force may be output. The intensity of the second sensing signal can be changed in response to resistance, so unlike the capacitive method, the sensor unit 120 can sense the location information of the touch point and the applied force even in a humid or underwater environment.

7 is a waveform diagram illustrating an example of a driving signal input to a sensor unit in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7 , as the driving signal TD, a first driving signal TD1 and a second driving signal TD2 may be alternately generated. At this time, when the first driving signal TD1 is transmitted, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 are connected to the touch driver 121 by the mux control signal, and the second driving signal TD2 When transmitted, the second sensing signal line R2x may be connected to the touch driver 121 . When the first sensing signal lines (R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4) are connected to the touch driver 121 by the mux control signal, the first sensing signal (R1x) is connected to the first sensing signal lines (R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4). and when the second sensing signal line R2x is connected to the touch driver 121, the second sensing signal R2x may be output through the second sensing signal line R2x.

In addition, the first driving signal TD1 and the second driving signal TD2 can be repeated for a very short time, so that they can be repeatedly transmitted several times during the time of being touched once. However, it is not limited thereto, and the driving signal (TD′) is repeatedly generated, and the first sensing signal lines (R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, R1x4) and the second sensing signal line (R2x) are selectively generated by the mux control signal. When connected to the touch driver 121, the driving signal transmitted from the first conductive line 1121a to the second conductive film 1121 is called a first drive signal TD1, and the second conductive line 1121a passes through the first conductive line 1121a. A driving signal transmitted through the wire 1121b may be referred to as a second driving signal TD2.

In addition, the first driving signal TD1 and the second driving signal TD2 are illustrated as having the same voltage, but are not limited thereto.

8 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a method for driving a touch sensor that senses a touch in a sensor unit employed in a display device according to embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8 , in the method of driving the touch sensor, a first driving signal TD1 is transmitted from the second sensor 120b to the first sensor in response to a force applied to a touch point, and Correspondingly, the first sensing signal R1x may be received from the first sensor 120a (S800). The first sensing signal R1x transmitted from the first sensor 120a may include at least three sensing signals. When the first driving signal TD1 is transmitted, the first sensing signal lines R1x1, R1x2, R1x3, and R1x4 are connected to the touch driver 121, and the first sensor 120a responds to the first driving signal TD1. A corresponding first sensing signal R1x may be output to the touch driver 121 .

Then, location information on the touch point may be calculated in response to the first sensing signal (S810). The first sensing signal may be output corresponding to the magnitude of the resistance corresponding to the first driving signal. Also, the first sensing signal includes at least three sensing signals, and each sensing signal may include information corresponding to a distance from a touch point to at least three different pads. Information corresponding to the distance may correspond to the magnitude of resistance formed between each pad at the touch point. In addition, the voltage of the first sensing signal is determined by the first driving signal, and the magnitude of resistance from the touch point to each pad can be calculated through the voltage of the sensing signal. Since the size of the resistance is related to the distance, the distance between the touch point and the pads can be calculated through the calculated size of the resistance, and the location of the touch point can be calculated using the calculated distances. The distance between the touch point and the pads may be calculated through a method such as triangulation. In addition, such location information may be calculated by the touch controller 122 using the first sensing signal transmitted to the touch driver 121 . However, it is not limited thereto.

Then, the second driving signal TD2 is transferred to the second sensor 120b, and the second sensing signal R2x corresponding to the touch point corresponding to the second driving signal TD2 is transmitted from the second sensor 120b. (S820) When the second driving signal TD2 is transmitted from the touch driver 121 to the driving signal line, the second sensing signal line R2x is connected to the touch driver 121 and the second sensor (120b) may output a second sensing signal (R2x) corresponding to the second driving signal.

In addition, information on the force applied to the touch point may be calculated in response to the second sensing signal R2x. (S830) The second sensing signal is output corresponding to the size of the resistance in response to the second driving signal. It can be. In the second sensor 120b, when the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b are disposed and a touch occurs, the second conductive film 1121 included in the first sensor 120a is first conductive. In contact with the wiring 1121a and the second conductive wiring 1121b, the second conductive film 1121 and the first conductive wiring 1121a at a position corresponding to the touch point in response to the force applied to the touch point at the time of touch. ) and the contact area of the second conductive wire 1121b may be different. Corresponding to the changed area, the voltage of the second sensing signal R2x output from the second sensor 120b is changed so that the contacted area can be grasped. Since the contact area corresponds to the force applied at the time of touch, the force applied to the touch point when the display panel 110 is touched can be calculated using the second sensing signal R2x. In addition, the first conductive wire 1121a and the second conductive wire 1121b may be formed of conductive ink, and the conductive ink has a different resistance in response to the applied force, thereby corresponding to the force applied to the touch point. The voltage of the second sensing signal R2x may be changed. Accordingly, the intensity of the second sensing signal R2x may correspond to the force applied to the touch point upon touch.

Here, the touch controller 122 is illustrated as receiving the second driving signal TD2 after calculating the location information, but is not limited thereto, and the first driving signal TD1 and the second driving signal TD2 After sequentially receiving the first sensing signal R1x corresponding to the first driving signal TD1 and the second sensing signal R2x corresponding to the second driving signal TD2, the location information of the touch point and Information about the applied force can be obtained. If the location information is identified first, more accurate force information can be obtained. However, it is also possible to first determine the force information and then determine the location information. In addition, although the voltage levels of the first driving signal TD1 and the second driving signal TD2 are shown to be the same, it is not limited thereto.

In addition, since the touch position and the force applied at the time of touch are sensed using a resistive film method, a touch can be recognized in a humid environment or an underwater environment, so that a touch input can be performed underwater.

If the display device includes a flexible display panel, the touch point can be determined according to the force applied to the touch point, so that information on the location of the touch point and the force applied at the time of touch can be calculated on the flexible display panel. there is.

The above description and accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can combine the configuration within the scope not departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. , various modifications and variations such as separation, substitution and alteration will be possible. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical idea of the present invention, but to explain, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be construed according to the claims below, and all technical ideas within the equivalent range should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention.

100: display device
110: display panel
111: pixel
112: gate driver
113: data driver
114: control unit
120: sensor unit
121: touch driver
122: touch control unit

Claims (18)

a first sensor including at least three first sensing signal lines, wherein each of the at least three first sensing signal lines outputs a first sensing signal according to a first driving signal;
a second sensor including a driving signal line and a second sensing signal line, a second driving signal being applied to the driving signal line, and outputting a second sensing signal through the second sensing signal line; and
A spacer having a hollow formed between the first sensor and the second sensor,
The first driving signal is a signal applied through the driving signal line of the second sensor,
The first sensor includes a conductive film in contact with the second sensor,
The conductive film is connected to the second sensor in the region where the hollow is formed when force is applied to a touch point by a touch;
The first sensor includes at least three pad parts disposed at at least three different points on the conductive film;
The at least three first sensing signal lines are connected to correspond to the at least three pad parts,
The first sensing signal output from each of the at least three first sensing signal lines includes information corresponding to a distance from the touch point to the at least three pad parts,
The touch sensor wherein the driving signal line and the second sensing signal line are each patterned into a predetermined shape.
According to claim 1,
During a first driving period for detecting a position for a touch, the driving signal line and the first sensing signal line are connected,
The second driving signal applied to the driving signal line is applied as the first driving signal to the first sensing signal line,
During the second driving period for sensing the force of the touch, the driving signal line and the first sensing signal line are not connected,
The first driving period is a period in which the first sensor outputs the first sensing signal to the at least three first sensing signal lines;
The second driving period is a period during which the second sensor outputs the second sensing signal to the second sensing signal line.
delete delete According to claim 1,
The driving signal line and the second sensing signal line are electrically separated on a substrate, and each of the driving signal line and the second sensing signal line is patterned in a comb pattern shape.
It includes at least three first sensing signal lines, and each of the at least three first sensing signal lines includes a first sensor outputting a first sensing signal according to a first driving signal, a driving signal line, and a second sensing signal line. A sensor unit including a second sensor that includes a second driving signal applied to the driving signal line and outputs a second sensing signal through the second sensing signal line;
The first driving signal is transmitted to the first sensor through the driving signal line and the second driving signal is applied to the second sensor, and the first sensing signal is obtained from the first sensing signal line and the second sensing signal line. a touch drive circuit that receives the signal and the second sensing signal;
a touch control unit that controls the touch drive circuit and generates position information and force information for a touch point using the first sensing signal and the second sensing signal; and
A display panel disposed on the sensor unit to display an image,
A hollow spacer is disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor,
The first sensor includes a conductive film connected to the second sensor in the hollow region when a force is applied to the touch point by a touch,
The first sensor includes at least three pad parts disposed at at least three different points on the conductive film;
The at least three first sensing signal lines are connected to correspond to the at least three pad parts,
The first sensing signal output from each of the at least three first sensing signal lines includes information corresponding to a distance from the touch point to the at least three pad parts,
The display device of claim 1 , wherein the driving signal line and the second sensing signal line are each patterned into a predetermined shape.
According to claim 6,
During a first driving period for detecting a position for a touch, the driving signal line and the first sensing signal line are connected,
The second driving signal applied to the driving signal line is applied as the first driving signal to the first sensing signal line,
During the second driving period for sensing the force of the touch, the driving signal line and the first sensing signal line are not connected,
The first driving period is a period in which the first sensor outputs the first sensing signal to the at least three first sensing signal lines;
The second driving period is a period during which the second sensor outputs the second sensing signal to the second sensing signal line.

delete According to claim 6,
The driving signal line and the second sensing signal line are electrically separated on a substrate, and each of the driving signal line and the second sensing signal line is patterned in a comb pattern shape.
delete According to claim 6,
The touch control unit,
The display device detects the position of the touch based on magnitudes of resistance between a point connected to the second sensor in the conductive layer and the at least three pad parts.
According to claim 6,
a mux connected to the first sensing signal line and the second sensing signal line; and
Further comprising a touch driver for generating the first driving signal and the second driving signal,
The MUX displays the display device such that the first sensing signal line or the second sensing signal line is selectively connected to the touch driver by a MUX control signal.
According to claim 6,
The display panel is a flexible display device.
Board;
a spacer formed with a hollow and disposed on an edge of the substrate;
a first conductive film formed on the substrate and including a patterned first conductive wire and a patterned second conductive wire separated from the first conductive wire;
a second conductive layer disposed above the spacer, spaced apart from the first conductive layer at a predetermined interval, and connected to at least three first sensing signal lines; and
a display panel disposed on the second conductive layer;
The second conductive layer is connected to the first conductive layer in the hollow region when force is applied to a touch point by a touch;
The second conductive layer includes at least three pad parts disposed at at least three different points,
The at least three first sensing signal lines are connected to correspond to the at least three pad parts,
The first sensing signal output from each of the at least three first sensing signal lines includes information corresponding to a distance from the touch point to the at least three pad parts,
The first conductive wire and the second conductive wire are each patterned into a predetermined shape.
delete In response to the force applied to the touch point, a first driving signal is transmitted from the second sensor to the first sensor, and the touch driver responds to the first driving signal by at least three first sensing signal lines included in the first sensor. Receiving a first sensing signal from each;
calculating, by the touch driver, location information on a touch point in response to the first sensing signal;
The touch driver transmits a second driving signal to a driving signal line included in the second sensor, and a second sensing signal corresponding to the touch point corresponding to the second driving signal is transmitted to a second sensor included in the second sensor. Receiving transmission from a sensing signal line; and
Calculating, by the touch driver, information corresponding to a force applied to the touch point in response to the second sensing signal;
A hollow spacer is disposed between the first sensor and the second sensor,
Corresponding to the force applied to the touch point, the conductive film of the first sensor is connected to the second sensor in the hollow region,
The first sensor includes at least three pad parts disposed at at least three different points on the conductive film;
The at least three first sensing signal lines are connected to correspond to the at least three pad parts,
The first sensing signal output from each of the at least three first sensing signal lines includes information corresponding to a distance from the touch point to the at least three pad parts,
The driving signal line and the second sensing signal line are each patterned into a predetermined shape.
According to claim 16,
The first driving signal and the second driving signal are sequentially driven touch sensor driving method.
According to claim 16,
At least the first sensing signal is output corresponding to the magnitude of resistance corresponding to the first driving signal, and the second sensing signal is output corresponding to the magnitude of resistance corresponding to the second driving signal. .

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